Setting apparatus for textile fabrics



Aug. 22, 1950 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS ll Sheets-Sheet 1 l -ux NB fi\w\ imhu a QQQO Q HHIlIl bx 9w Filed May 16, 1947 Aug. 22, 1950 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1947 INVENTOR. flchier Aug. 22, 1950 H. RICHTER 2,520,062

SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS Filed May 16, 1947 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug, 22, 1950 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS ll Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 16, 1947 INVENTOR}.

Aug. 22, 1950 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS 11 Sheets- Sheet 5 Filed May 16, 194'? I N VEN TOR Aug. 22, 1950 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 16, 1947 7 T N m V w. E NW 0% H L S M 6%, 6R, W n 1 D E u l mmw M \QW S3 wmw mmw Qww 9M NQJ wmw fimmw KWN LIT .WN. GWWN 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

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H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS www Aug. 22, 1950 Flled May 16, 1947 g 1950 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed May 16, 1947 INVENTOR.

Aug. 22, 1950 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS 11 Shee'ts-Sheet 10 Filed May 16, 1947 INVENTOR.

Aug. 22, 1950 H. RICHTER SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed May 16, 1947 [NVEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 22, 1950 SETTING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE FABRICS Henry Richter, Kankakee, Ill., assignor to Paramount Textile Machinery Co., Kankakee, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 16, 1947, Serial No. 748,469

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in setting apparatus for textile fabrics and its purpose is to provide improved means for setting and shaping stockings and other fabrics formed by knitting linear condensation polyamide fibers such as those known as nylon." The present invention is directed to the type of apparatus disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,351,063, dated June 13, 1944, and in my copendin applications Serial No. 581,210, filed March 6, 1945 upon which Letters Patent No. 2,470,265 issued on July 17, 1949, and Serial No. 625,781, filed October 31, 1945, upon which Letters Patent No. 2,470,266 issued on July 1'7, 1949.

As explained in said applications, it is desirable to treat shaped textile articles, such as,

hosiery formed from nylon yarn, by a setting operation on forms of the desired shapes in the presence of saturated steam for the purpose of reducing the resiliency of the knitted loops and removing the natural wrinkles of the loose fabric, thereby causing the articles to retain the shapes of the forms during subsequent use and while being laundered. The treatment is carried on at a high temperature preferably between 240 Fahrenheit and 260 F., for a. short period and at a pressure above that of the atmosphere, thus requiring the use of a closed chamber for containing the articles.

The present invention is preferably employed with or as a part of the type of setting apparatus described and claimed in said Letters Patent wherein the forms carrying the articles are mounted in groups on carriages which are movable in succession into a chamber or retort, thus permitting the heat treatment of articles on one group of forms durin the time that articles are being changed on other forms outside of the chamber. In each of said applications there is disclosed a steam receiving retort having an opening, a door for closing said opening, a main carriage movable transversely to said opening, and a plurality of form carriages mounted on parallel tracks on said main carriage for movement alternately or successively into said retort through said opening, each form carriage having mounted thereon a plurality of forms for supporting the textile articles to be treated, whereby the articles may be changed on the forms of one form carriage while another form carriage and its article carrying forms are in the retort. The forms are capable of relative pivotal movement on each form carriage and each form carriage is tiltable upwardly when withdrawn from the retort for the purpose of locating the forms in positions to permit the articles thereon to be conveniently changed.

The principal object of the present invention is to simplify the apparatus disclosed in said applications and to provide a combination of ap paratus wherein the operations of opening the door, admitting steam to the chamber of the retort, exhausting the steam, opening the door and causing the form carriage to be ejected from the chamber are all actuated or controlled electrically. A further object is to provide improved mechanism for operating the door and effecting the admission of steam to the retortand the exhaust of steam therefrom. Another object is to provide power actuated door operating mechanism arranged to be automatically released in the event that any unusual resistance is encountered during the movement of the door. Still another object of the invention is to provide improved means for locking the main carriage in a desired position so that it'will remain stationary while the operator, is working with the forms carried :by a form carriage. Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment is illustrated. In the drawings,

Figure 1 ShOWs a perspective view of a form of setting apparatus embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a front end elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1;

, Fig, 3 shOWS a top plan view of the track and carriage structure at the front end of the retort;

Fig. 4 shows a side elevation of the track and carriage structure looking toward the right as viewed in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detailed sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 3, illustratin the latch mechanisms by which the main carriage is held in a predetermined position while the operator is working on the forms;

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged front elevation of a portion of the latch mechanism and associated parts illustrated in Fig, 6;

Fig. 8 shows a detailed section taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 shows a side elevation of the horizontal retort looking toward the side opposite to that which is illustrated in Fig. 1, illustrating the mechanism by which the door is operated and steam is admitted to and exhausted from the chamber of the retort;

Fig. shows a horizontal section through the forward portion of the retort, taken on the line l0|0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 shows an enlarged longitudinal section, taken on the line I|--H of Fig, 10, illustrating the device by which a form carriage is latched in its position within the retort with the latch mechanism in its retracted position;

Fig. 12 shows a vertical section taken on the line lZ-IZ of Fig.11;

Fig. 13 shows a longitudinal Section similar to that of Fig. 11, illustrating the relative positions of the parts when a form carriage has been latched in position within the retort;

Fig. 14 shows a top plan view of the latch mechanism shown in Figs. 11 and 13;

Fig. 15 shows somewhat diagrammatically the electric circuit connections of the various devices by which the operation of the door and the admission and exhaust steam are controlled;

Fig, 16 shows a diagrammatic view of the internal structures of the steam valve and the pilot valve and their connections;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail view of the forward end of the connecting rod by which the door is actuated; and

Fig. 18 shows a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 9.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the principal features of the construction illustrated and their mode of operation will be briefly described before proceeding with a more detailed description. The apparatus comprises a horizontal retort carried by legs 3! adapted to rest upon a floor or other support 32 and provided at one end with a rectangular opening 30a which is normally closed by a hinged door 33. In front of the retort and extending transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof is a pair of main tracks 34 on which a main carriage 35 is mounted to travel. The main carriage has mounted thereon two pairs of form carriage track members 36 which extend parallel to each other and also parallel to the longitudinal axis of the retort 30. These track members 36 support two form carriages 31 which are identical in construction and the upper edges of these track members are located substantially flush with but slightly above the lower horizontal edge of the door opening 30a so that, when a pair of track members 36 are properly positioned with respect to that opening by the transverse movement of the main carriage 35, the form carriage 31 on that pair of track members may be moved therefrom into the chamber 38 of the retort where it is supported on the retort tracks 39 shown particularly in Fig. 10.

Each form carriage 31 has mounted thereon a group of setting forms 40 which, in this instance, are shown as being of the proper shape for the setting of ladies nylon hosiery. These forms are so mounted that they normally extend substantially parallel to the body of the form carriage 31 by which they are carried, but they are capable J limited pivotal movement away from the carriage for the purpose of permitting the ready removal and replacement of articles of hosiery or the like located thereon. When a form carriage 31 has been withdrawn from the retort 30, a pair of roller bearing trunnions 42 mounted on opposite sides thereof are adapted to travel on auxiliary horizontal track ill members 44 which are mounted on the main carriage 35, one of the auxiliary track members 44 being mounted adjacent to but at a substantially higher level than each of the track members 36. When a form carriage 31 reaches the limit of its outward movement on its track members 36, the trunnions 42 mounted on that form carriage engage normally open hookshaped bearing members 45 which are located at the outer ends of the auxiliary track members 44 and the form carriage then tilts upwardly to the position which is shown at the right of Fig. 1, so that the forms are then readily accessible to the operator who may tilt the forms forwardly about their pivots for the purpose of removing previously treated hosiery therefrom and then placing upon these forms other hosiery to be treated in a succeeding operation.

While a form carriage 31 is being moved into or out of the retort 30, the main carriage 35 is latched in a position which locates the track members 36 for that form carriage in alignment with the retort tracks 39. When that form carriage is moved outwardly and tilted upwardly and forwardly, as heretofore described, the main carriage 35 retains its position until it is intentionally released by the operator through the manipulation of a lever 46 which is mounted to extend upwardly between the forward portions of the two innermost track members 44. When thus released, the main carriage 35 may be shifted to bring the other form carriage into alignment with the opening of the retort, whereupon the main carriage is latched in the new position and the operator is then enabled to work upon the forms which have Just been withdrawn from the retort while the other carriage bearing untreated hosiery on its forms is then moved into the retort. In this way the form carriages 31 are moved laterally with respect to the retort and the forms 40 of each form carriage are worked upon by the operator while the forms carried by the other form carriage are in the retort. When a form carriage carrying untreated hosiery is tilted downwardly from its upwardly inclined position, it is automatically locked in its horizontal position and remains so secured while it is moved into the retort. When that form carriage is again removed from the retort, it is automatically released as it approaches its outer position on its track members 36 so that it can again be tilted upwardly.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, a form carriage 31, after being tilted downwardly to its horizontal position and located opposite the mouth of the retort, is pushed by the operator into the retort with suflicient momentum to cause it to operate the latch hook and compress the spring of the eject'ng mechanism, whereupon the door of the retort is automatically closed, the steam is automatically turned on, and the heat treatment of the articles on the forms continues for a predetermined period, at the conclusion of which the steam is exhausted from the retort, the door is opened, and the latch holding th carriage in the retort is released to permit the actuation of the Spring pressed plunger which ejects the carriage from the retort with sufficient momentum to cause it to move to the forward ends of the aligning track members and to tilt upwardly upon the engagement of its trunnions 42 with the hook-shaped bearing members 45. These operations are effected or controlled by apparatus connected in an electric circuit 48, shown in Fig. 15, and when the carriage reaches its inner position in the retort in response to the manual pu h of the operator, an electric starting switch 305 in this circuit is automatically closed, thereby starting the electric door operating'motor Ill and setting in motion the series of operations previously referred to which are regulated by the timer 5| for controlling the period of the heat treatment and the timer 52 for controlling the duration of the exhaust. There is included in this circuit, a temperature regulator 53, shown in Fig. 9, a solenoid 54 for controlling the ejection of the carriage, a valve 55 through which steam is admitted and exhausted, anda solenoid operated valve 55 which controls the operation of the steam valve 55.

When a form carriage 31 has fully entered the retort and the electric circuit has been set in operation, the motor 50 operates to close the door 33 and the valve 55 is open to admit high pressure, high temperature steam to the interior of the retort. The temperature of the steam therein the previously described door opening 30a.

within the retort is indicated by the thermometer or re ulator 53 and the steam pressure within the retort is indicated by the gauge 51. Relief valves 59 are mounted adjacent the gauge 51 to relieve the pressure in the retort if it rises above a predetermined maximum. The temperature within the retort may preferably be within the range from 240 F. to 260 F.

After the hosiery or other articles on the forms in the retort have been subjected to the action of the steam for a suitable interval, which may be about three minutes if nylon hosiery is being treated, the timer 5! operates to shut off the steam and to establish an exhaust connection through the valve 55 so that the steam in the chamber is then exhausted. At the end of a brief exhaust period, the duration of which is determined by the timer 52, the motor 50 is again operated to open the door 33 which then rema ns open until another form carriage 31 is moved into the retort at the beginning of the next cycle of operations. As soon as the door 33 is opened, the solenoid 54 is actuated to release the carriage ejecting mechanism which then moves the form carriage outwardly through the door opening 3011. This movement takes place in response to the mechanical energy stored in the ejecting mecranrm within the retort and is sufficient to move the carriage to its forward position on the tracks 35 and to cause the upward tilting thereof to the position shown at the right of Fig. 1.

As shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 10, the retort 30 comprises an inner metal shell 60 of rectangular vertical cross section which is surrounded by an outer metal shell 62 of the same cross section, the two shells being spaced apart by the spacing members 6 thus forming a plurality of annular chambers which are occupied by heat insulating material 64. At the bottom of t-e retort. the lower wall of the outer shell 62 may be made up of sections of greater thickness than those which are used in forming the remaining portion of ths shell and the legs 3! are secured to these thick bottom plates to support the retort. At the rear end of the retort, the ends of the inner and outer shells and 62. respectively, are closed by a transverse end wall 65 and a plate 51 is mounted inwardly of this end wall between the wals of the inner shell 60, forming an intervening space which is occupied by heat insulating material 68. At the front end of the retort, the edges of the inner and outer shells and 62, respectLvely, are welded to an The end plate I0 extends inwardly beyond the inward surface of the inner shells 60, thus forming an annular flange around the door opening against which the door 33 is adapted to seat when it is closed.

The door 33 is located entirely onthe inside of the retort and when it is closed its outer margin seats against the inner surface of the end plate 10, being preferably provided around this margin with a strip of resilient compressible material which engages the plate 10 to form a fluid-tight seal. With this arrangement, the

steam pressure within the chamber tends to increase the tightness of the seal when the door is closed and the end plate 10 prevents the door from being blown out by the high pressures within the chamber. The door is carried by hinged brackets 12 of irregular form which are pivotally mounted on hearing members 13 carried by the brackets 14 fixed on the end plate 10 adjacent the upper corners thereof by studs 15.

The construction and mounting of the tracks and the carriages at the front of the retort will now be more particularly described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. The tracks 34 which support the main carriage 35 are in the form of fiat bars located in vertical ,planes and extending parallel to each other at the front of the retort transversely to the longitudinal axis of the retort. The rear track 34 is secured by intervening brackets 11 to a parallel rail 18 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the end plate Ill. This end plate extends downwardly below the body of the retort and has secured to the depending portions thereof two forwardly projecting heavy brackets which are provided at their forward ends with upturned flanges to which the forward track 34 is secured by the bolts 82. In addition, the ends of the forward track 34 are supported by vertical rods or struts 83 which rest upon the floor 32. The brackets 11 at the ends of the rear track 34 carry adjustable stop members 85 which are adapted to engage the lugs 23a carried by the main carriage when this carriage is at either end of its path of travel. The forward track 34 is also provided at its ends with stop members carried by brackets 85 and resi'iently mounted so that they are adapted to yield when they are engaged by the ends of the forward portion of the main carriage, thus cushioning the movement of the main carriage and bringing it to rest as it approaches either limit of its travel on the track members 38.

The forward portion of the main carriage 35 is provided with depending ears in which are rotatably mounted the cylindrical wheels or rollers by which the carriage is supported upon the forward track member 34. The rear portion of the main carriage is provided with other depending ears on which are rotatably mounted the grooved rollers 91 which embrace and travel upon the upper edge of the rear track 34, thus holding the main carriage against displacement transversely to the track members 34. The rear frame member of the main carriage 35 also carries depending brackets 98 on which are rotatably mounted the rollers 99 arranged to underlie the rear track 34, thus holding the rear part of the main carriage 35 against displacement upwardly from the rear track member 34.

The brackets 98 also serve as guides for looking bars I00 which are-adapted to position the main carriage so that one of the form carriages will be in alignment with the door opening 300 and its tracks 36 in alignment with the retort tracks 39. These locking bars I are adapted to be operated by the previously described operating lever 46 which projects upwardly and forwardly near the operators position as shown in Fig. 1. There are two of these bars I00 each mounted to reciprocate longitudinally toward and from the retort and to engage a notch IOIa in a locking plate IOI, shown particularly in Figs. 4 and 8, which is secured to the forward side of the rear track member 34. When one of the bars I00 is in engagement with the notch IOIa, the main carriage 35 will be secured in a position where one pair of the form carriage track members 36 will be in alignment with the retort tracks 38 so that the form carriage mounted on these tracks 3'3 may then be moved into the retort.

At its rear end, each or the bars I00 is slidably mounted in a sleeve 98a formed on one of the roller brackets 98 previously described. The part which is thus slidably mounted is formed as an extension [000. having a threaded engagement with the body portion of the rod I00, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the two parts being held in adjusted positions by lock nuts I001). The part I00a terminates in a detent portion I00c having a bevelled end to engage the notch Mia. The part I00c is held against rotation by a setscrew I00d engaging a longitudinal keyway formed therein and a coil spring I02 is mounted between the enlarged portion I00c and a threaded plug I03 which engages the end of the sleeve 98a so that the detent portion I00c is normally moved to its locking position.

At its forward end, each of the locking bars I00 is slidably mounted in an aperture formed in one of the two hanger brackets I04 which are secured to the front cross frame member of the carriage 35 and which extend downwardly therefrom at the front of the carriage. The forward extremity of each rod I00 loosely engages the bifurcated end I05a of one arm of a bell crank lever I05 which is pivoted at I06 on a bracket I01 attached to the front transverse frame member of the carriage 35, as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 6. A collar I08 is mounted on the forward end of each rod I00 and a pair of lock nuts I09 engage the threaded end of the rod to secure the collar in adjusted position so that the rod I 00 will be withdrawn against the compression of the spring I02 by a predetermined side of the operating lever 46, as shown in Figs.

1, 3 and 4. The lower end of the lever 46 is pivoted at III on a bracket II2 secured to the brackets I01 and the lever 46 may thus be pivoted transversely of the longitudinal axis of the retort for the purpose of releasing either of the locking bars I00 from its engagement with the plate I0 I. Thus, the lever 46 may be operated to release the main carriage when it is in either of its locked positions and the carriage may then be shifted laterally until the bevelled end of the other locking bar rides over the end faces of the plate m to engage the notch I0la and thereby secure the carriage in a position where the other form carriage will be in alignment with the retort. The upper end of the lever 46 is mounted to slide between bars II3 which connect the two innermost auxiliary track members 44, thus providing a guide for the lever and also securing the two track members against relative movement.

The previously mentioned hanger brackets I04 have their lower ends secured to a flat bar II! which lies in a vertical plane and which carries a pair of resiliently mounted stop members II! for cushioning the downward movement of the forward portion of a form carriage 31 when this carriage is tilted to its inclined position. The flat bar II5 has secured to each end thereof an angle shaped arm I II which extends upwardly and forwardly and which has its upper extremity attached to one of the outermost auxiliary track members 44 through an adjusting screw I I6. The two arms III taken with the bar II5 from a yoke which supports the two outermost auxiliary track members 44 against lateral separation under the influence of the momentum of the auxiliary carriages when the main carriage is shifted laterally and brought to a stop.

Each of the form carriages 31 comprises a pair of side frame members I30, a pair of end frame members I3I, a central transverse frame member I 33, and two intermediate transverse frame members I32 which are shown particularly in Fig. 10. These frame members are preferably cast as one integral construction, being formed preferably of aluminum or the like which is light in weight and capable of withstanding high steam temperatures in the retort without corrosion, rusting or distortion. As shown particularly in Fig. 1, each side frame member has formed on the underside thereof depending lugs on which are rotatably mounted the grooved rollers I36 which are adapted to travel on the track members 36 and upon the retort tracks 39. In the embodiment illustrated, four grooved rollers I36 are provided at each side of each form carriage.

Each form carriage 31 is adapted to support a plurality of forms 40 which are arranged parallel to each other and which are adapted to be tilted about their pivotal axes I40 in the manner shown and described in said prior Letters Patent No. 2,351,063, so that any form may be moved out of alignment with the others for permitting the removal or replacement of an article to be treated in the retort. When the form carriages are tilted upwardly to permit access to the forms 40 mounted thereon, they are latched in the inclined position by latch members I13 which engage hard metal plates II4 carried by the forward transverse frame members I32 as shown in Fig. 4, thus holding the form carriage in position while the forms are being worked upon. When the form carriages are moved downwardly to their horizontal positions, they are latched to the main carriage during their travel through the door opening of the retort to prevent the accidental upward tilting thereof. Since these features do not constitute a part of the present invention they are only briefly referred to. A handle I88 is mounted on each form carriage to facilitate the tilting thereof by the operator and a mirror I53 is mounted at one side of the main carriage so that an operator positioned at one side of a group of forms on a form carriage may observe the condition of the opposite side of a form being worked upon.

In order that the form carriages 31 may be properly balanced to tilt automatically when they reach the limits of their travel on moving out of the retort, the frame of each form carriage is provided, as shown in Fig. 10, with two longitudinally extending rods I80, each of which has adjustably mounted thereon a cylindrical counterweight I3 I. These counterweights may be adjusted longitudinally of the frame of the form carriage to position the center of gravity of the carriage properly so that it will tilt in the desired manner on the outside movement of the carriage.

The means for locking a form carriage 31 in its horizontal position while it is being moved into the retort comprises a block I93, shown in Fig. 12, one of which is attached to a cross frame member I3I of each form carriage. Each block I98 has a guideway in which is slidably mounted a locking bolt 200 adapted to project under the horizontal flange Ia of an angle bar mounted on the main carriage and extending parallel to the track members 36. A coil spring 202 normally moves the bolt 200 to its locking position, this movement being limited by the engagement of a pin 204 with the end of a plate 20I which is attached to the block I98. The lower part of the projecting end of the bolt 200 is formed as a tooth 200a having an inclined under face which engages the edge of the flange I20a of the angle bar when the form carriage is lowered to its horizontal position, thus wedging the bolt to its retracted position from which it is returned by the spring 202 when the carriage reaches its final lower position, whereupon the tooth 200a underlies the flange of the angle bar as illustrated in Fig. 12. The bolt 200 remains in its locking position while it is in the retort and when the form carriage is again withdrawn from the retort on to the main carriage 35 ,the tooth 200a again travels under the flange I20a to prevent the upward tilting of the form carriage during the major portion of its forward or outward movement. As the end of this movement is approached, the bolt 200 is automatically retracted to release the carriage through the operation of a finger 205, which is pivotally mounted on the upward side of the flange I20a of the angle bar and which has a face adapted to coact with a wedging surface formed on the upper tooth 20012 of the locking bolt. This tooth 200b acts at the proper time to retract the bolt so that the form carriage may then be tilted upwardly and when the carriage is again lowered the bolt 200 again automatically engages the angle bar I20 and the tooth 20% engages the free end of the pivotally mounted finger 205 to swing it to its forward position against the tension of a spring 206, shown in Fig. 3, thus permitting the bolt 200 to pass by the finger 205 as the form carriage moves toward the retort. In order that the block I90 and its locking bolt 200 may be properly positioned with respect to the adjacent angle bar I20 when the form carriage is lowered, a tapered centering pin 2I4 is secured to the transverse frame member I3I of each carriage to project downwardly therefrom in a posit on to contact with the side of the vertical flange of the angle bar I20, thereby locating the form carriage properly in a lateral direction as it reaches its horizontal position.

As a form carriage 31 moves into the'retort under the influence of a push imparted thereto by the operator it travels on the retort tracks 39 and ultimately reaches a position where it is brought to rest by the cushioning and ejecting mechanism which is carried by a flat horizontal plate 2I1 extending substantially throughout thelength of the retort and secured to the bottom wall thereof. This cushioning and ejecting mechanism comprises a vertical plate or bracket 223, shown particularly in Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14, which extends longitudinally of the retort and which is provided with ears or flanges 223a secured to the plate 2II by studs 224. A cylinder 225 is mounted at one side of and parallel to the upper part of the plate 223 and has a depending flange 225a which is secured to the side of the plate 223 by studs 226. The cylinder 225 is closed at its inner or rear end by a threaded plug 221 in which is slidably mounted the stem of a piston rod or plunger 226 arranged to be moved normally toward the right, as viewed in Figs. 13 and 14, by a coil spring 229 mounled belween its intermediate enlarged portion 228a and the plug 221. As a form carriage 31 reaches the rear limit of its travel into the retort, the projecting end of the resiliently mounted plunger 228 is engaged by the head of a stop screw 230 which is adjustably mounted in a threaded aperture formed in the rear cross frame member I3I of the form carriage. The movement of the carriage is thus cushioned as it is gradually brought to rest.

As the form carriage reaches this inner position, the previously mentioned guide pin 2I4 engages a pin 232 projecting laterally from the side of a latch hook 233 which is pivotally mounted on the side of the plate 223 as shown at 233a. The pin 2I4 thus moves the latch hook 233 out of engagement with a block 234 secured to the side of the ejector latch 235. A coil spring 230 connects the latch hook 233 with a fixed pin 23'! on the plate 223 and when the block 234 is released by the movement of the latch hook against the tension of this spring, the-ejector latch 235 is permitted to move about the stud 238 by which it is pivotally mounted on the plate 223. This movement of the ejector latch is brought about by the action of a spring hereinafter described with the result that the hook portion 2350 of the ejector latch moves upwardly in front of the rear cross frame member I3I of the carriage, as shown in Fig. 13, thus holding the form carriage in fixed relation to the cylinder 225 with the spring 228 in its inner position and with the spring 229 compressed. The parts remain in these relative positions until the heat treatment of the articles on the forms in the retort has been concluded, whereupon the steam is exhausted, the door 33 is opened, and the ejector latch 235 is actuated by the mechanism hereinafter described to release the form carriage 31 and permit the spring pressed plunger 228 to eject the form carriage from the retort with sufficient m.mentum to cause it to tilt upwardly about the trunnions 42 at the end of its forward movement. When the ejector latch 235 is thus actuated to release the carriage, the spring 236 causes the latch hook 233 to move again into engagement with the block 234, thus holding the ejector latch in the posi;ic-n shown in Fig. 11 until a form carriage is again moved into the retort.

The ejector latch 235 is adapted to be actuated by a bell crank lever 240 which is pivoted on the plate 223 by means of a stud 24I as shown particularly in Figs. 11 and 13. This bell crank lever has an arm provided with an elongated slot 240a having a sliding engagement with a pin 242 which is fixed on the end of the ejector latch 235. The

other arm of the bell crank lever 245 is provided with an elongated slot 24Gb engaged by a pin 243 which is secured in the end of an ejector rod 245 arranged to extend horizontally through the rear end of the retort as shown particularly in Fig. 10. This rod has a loose fit in apertures which are formed in the end plates of the rear wall of the retort and for the purpose of forming a fluid tight connection when steam is admitted to the chamber of the retort, a rubber gasket 246 is secured to the inner face of the plate 61 closely fitted by the rod 245. A steel disc 241 is secured on the rod 245 in such a position that when the form carriage is locked in the retort by the ejector latch 235 and steam has been admitted to the retort, the steam pressure acting upon the disc 241 will cause it to seat tightly against the rubber gasket 246 and thus form a fluid tight seal.

On the outside of the rear end of the retort; the ejector rod 245 has a sliding pivotal connection at 248 with the latch operating lever 250 which is pivoted at 25l on a stationary member 252 carried by the shelf at the rear end of the retort. The free end of the lever 250 is pivotally connected to an actuating rod 253 which is slidably mounted in a bearing member 255 carried by a bracket 256 which is secured to the side of the retort as shown in Fig. 10. A collar 251 is secured to the rod 253 forwardly of the bearing member 255 and a coil spring 258, extending between two pins secured on this collar and on the bearing member 255, serves normally to move the rod 253 toward the rear with the result that it eifects through the lever 250 a corresponding rearward movement of the ejector rod 245, thereby actuating the ejector latch 235 to cause it to assume the position shown in Fig. 13 wherein it holds the form carriage against the plunger 228.

The rod 253 is pivotally connected at 259 to the magnetizable core 268 oi! the solenoid 54, shown in Figs. 9 and 10, which has its winding connected in the electric circuit 48 as hereinafter more fully described. The solenoid 54 is secured to an L-shaped bracket 26] which is attached to the side of the retort and all of these parts are enclosed within the auxiliary housin 262. When the solenoid 54 is energized the core 260 is moved toward the right as viewed in Fig. 10, thereby causing a forward movement of the ejector rod 245 and the release of the form carriage 31 by the ejector latch 235, so that the carriage is then ejected from the retort by the action of the spring pressed plunger 228.

The electrical system for operating the door 23 and controlling the flow of steam to the retort 30, and its exhaust therefrom, is shown particularly in Figs. 9, 10 and 15. The motor 50 by which the door is actuated, the solenoid 54 for controlling the form carriage ejecting mechanism, and the solenoid operated valve 56 by which the flow of steam through the valve 55 is controlled are all connected in the circuit 48 which is controlled by the timers and 52.

Referring first to the means for operating the door 23, it will be observed upon an inspection of Fig. 9 that the door has a relatively fixed crank arm 16 which is pivotally attached by a pin 264 to a connecting rod 265 extending rearwardly at the side of the retort within the auxiliary housing 262. The pin 264 engages a longitudinal slot 285a in the rod and is normally held in engagement with the forward end of the slot by a leaf spring 266 having a head 266a which normally serves as a partial bearing for the pin 264. If any 12 unusual resistance is encountered which prevents the closing of the door 22, the head 248a will snap over the pin 264 and permit the rod 285 to slide over the pin, toward the left as viewed in Fig. 9, without operating the door.

The rod 285 terminates at its rear end in an extension 2651: which is adjustably connected with the body portion of the rod by a screw 2650 so that the eil'ective length of the rod may be varied. The part 265b is pivotally engaged by a pivot pin 265d which is clamped in adjusted position in a slot 261a formed in the crank arm 261 fixed on the shaft of the motor 50 by which the door 33 is opened and closed.

The pin 264- is also pivotally connected to a link 268 which has its rear end pivotally attached to a switch actuating bar 210. This bar is slidably mounted in bearings 21l attached to the side of the retort and it carries a member 212 which actuates the switch 49 and also an actuating member 213 which is adapted to operate a switch 214 which closes the circuit of the solenoid 54 by which the ejection of the form carriage is controlled.

The steam for heating the retort is supplied under pressure through a pipe 215 which leads into the top of the bell shaped casing 211 of the valve 55 as shown in Figs. 9 and 16. This casing has a division wall 211a having a central aperture 2"?) adapted to be closed by a valve 214 which seats on the wall oi. the aperture and this valve is also adapted to close the inlet port 2110 at the mouth of the pipe 215. The valve is normally moved to its open position, i. e., wherein the port 211c is open and the port 277b is closed, by

the action of a coil spring 216 mounted on the stem 218a of the valve beneath the wall 211d in which the stem is slidably mounted. The spring extends between the wall 211d and a flange carried at the lower end of the stem which is attached to a diaphragm 280 which divides horizontally the lower enlarged portion of the casing 211 forming a lower chamber 211a. The diaphragm 280 is adapted to be moved upwardly to move the valve to its upper closed position, against the compression of the spring 218, by the pressure of steam admitted to the chamber 211e through a pipe 28L The flow of steam through the pipe 26! is controlled by the solenoid operated pilot valve 56, previously referred to, which is mounted adjacent the steam valve, as shown in Figs. 9 and 16. This pilot valve comprises a solenoid 282 having a winding 282a, included in the circuit 48, and a magnetizable core 282!) which is pivotally connected to a lever 282e, pivoted at 283 in the valve casing and connected to operate a valve member 282d which controls the communication between the pipe 28I and each of two other pipes .284 and 285. The pipe 284 is connected to the pipe 215 in advance of the steam valve to furnish steam at the supply pressure to the pilot valve, and the other pipe 285 leads from the casing of the pilot valve to the conduit 211i which forms the exhaust port of the steam valve 55 and communicates with the exhaust pipe 286. The steam valve 55 also comprises a discharge conduit 211g which communicates with the pipe 281 leading to the chamber of the retort 30.

After the door 33 has been closed, the solenoid operated pilot valve 56 is actuated to shut off the flow of steam through the pipes 284 and 28l to the underside of the diaphragm 280 thereby allowing the spring 216 to move the valve 218 to its lower position, thereby closing the port 211!) 13 and opening the port 211c and allowing steam to flow from the pipe 216 through the pipe 261 to the retort. Atthe end of the heat treating period, determined by the timer 6|, the pilot valve 66 is deenergized and establishes a communication between the pipes 284 and 2 so that steam is admitted to the lower chamber 211e oi the steam trolling the movements of the door, the admission I and exhaust of steam and the ejection oi. a form carriage, is shown particularly in Fig. 15. Two line conductors 295 and 286, leading from a source of alternating current, pass through a fuse box 261 and a double pole switch 299 from which the line 286 is extended through the branch conductors 299, 300 and l to the motor 60, the thermostatic temperature control switch 302 and the solenoid 64, respectively, while the other line conductor 236 through the branch conductors 303 and 304 with the stationary contacts or the switches 214 and 306, respectively. The switch 306 is mounted to be operated by a sleeve 308 on the rod 263 and is always closed when the carriage is in the retort.

The terminal of the switch 214 opposite that connected to the conductor 303 is connected by a conductor 3I0 with the terminal of the solenoid 64 opposite that to which the conductor 30I is connected so that the solenoid is thus connected across the line through the switch 214.

The switch 305 is connected by a conductor 3| I with two contacts 3l2a and 3l2b of the double pole relay switch 3 l2. The conductor 3| l is connected by a conductor 3l3 with one terminal of the switch 49 which is operated by the rod 210 and the other terminal of this switch is connected through a, conductor 3H4 with a contact 3l2c of the relay switch 3l2 and also with one terminal of the winding 3i2d of this switch, the other terminal of this winding being connected by a conductor 3|I5 with the conductor 300 leading from the opposite side of the line. The remaining contact M242 0! the relay switch 352 is connected by a conductor 3H with a terminal 3l8 of the timer 5!. The switch 3|2 has a movable magnetizable core 3I2f carrying a contact bar 3l2g adapted to connect the contacts 3|2a and 3i2e and another contact bar 3I2h adapted to connect the contacts 3I2b and 3I2c. When the winding M211 is energized by the closing of the switch 49 the contacts of each of these pairs are connected.

The conductor 299 previously referred to is connected to both windings 50a and 50b of the door operating motor 50. The winding 50a has a conductor 3l9 leading from its other terminal to a contact 320a of the relay double pole switch 320. The opposite contact 3201) is connected by a conductor 321 with the contact 3l2b of the other relay switch and with the conductor 3. One upper contact 3200 of the switch 320 is connected by a conductor 322 with the above mentioned conductor M5 and the other upper contact 32011 is connected byaconductor 323 with a conductor 324 leading from the thermostatic switch 302 to a terminal 325 of the timer 5i. The winding a of the relay switch 320 is connected at one end to the conductor 322 and at its other end to a conductor 326 which leads to a terminal 321 of the timer 52. Themagnetizable core 320! oi this relay switch carries two contact bars 320a and 3207:. which are adapted to form connections, respectively, between the opposed pairs of contacts 320a and 32% and 320a and 320d. The other winding 50b of the door operating motor 50 is connectedby a conductor 328 with a terminal 328,0! the timer 52.

The solenoid operated pilot valve 56 which con trols the steam valve 55 has one terminal connected to one side of the line through a conductor 330 extending to the conductor 3M and its other terminal is adapted to be connected to the other side of the line through a conductor 33l extending to a terminal 332 of the timer 5|.

The solenoid operated siphon valve 290 has one terminal connected by a conductor 335 to the conductor 330 and its other terminal is connected by a conductor 336 to the terminal 331 of the timer 52. The conductor 3I5 to which the relay windings 3|2d and 320e are connected leadsirom the conductor 300 to a terminal 338 of the timer 62. A branch conductor 339 connects the conductor 328 to a terminal 340 of the timer 5|.

The timer 5| which determines the duration 01 the flow of steam into the retort is driven by a motor 345 which is connected between the terminals 325 and 332 by the conductors 346 and 341. A reset relay 348 is connected between the conductor 346 and the conductor 349 which extends from the terminal 3l8 to the pivoted switch arm 350. This switch arm is mounted to swing between upper and lower stationary contacts 351 and 352, respectively, which are connected to the timer terminals 332 and 340, respectively.

Similarly, the siphon timer 52, which determines the duration of the exhaust of steam from the retort, is driven by a motor 355 connected between the terminals 331 and 338 by the conductors 356 and 35l. A reset relay 358 is connected between the conductor 351 and a conductor 359 which extends from the terminal 321 to the pivoted switch arm 360. This switch arm is mounted to swing between an upper stationary contact 36l and a lower stationary contact 362 which are connected to the terminals 331 and 329, respectively.

The sequence of operations controlled by the electric circuit 48 is started when a form carriage is pushed by the operator into the retort. The carriage then pushes the plunger 228 inwardly to compress the spring 229 (seeFigs. 11 to 14) and is then latched by the latch member 235. This operation actuates the rod 245 and, through the lever 250, operates the rod 253 to retract the core of the solenoid 54. The movement of the rod 253 moves the cam 306 to close the limit switch 305 which remains closed as long as the form carriage is in the retort.

When the switch 305 is thus closed, a connection is established from the line conductor 296 and the conductor 3 to the contacts 32% and 320a of the relay switch 320, which contacts are then closed by the contact bar 3209, thus completing the circuit through the conductor 3|9, the motor 59 and the conductor 299 to the other line conductor 295. The motor 50 is thus operated to close the door 33 and as this takes place the switch rod 210 (see Fig. 9) is moved forwardly with the result that, when the door is completely closed, the switch 49 is closed.

The closing oi the switch 49 energizes the solenoid pilot valve 66 through a circuit leading irom the line conductor 296 through the conductor 304, the switch 305, conductor 3|3, switch 49, conductor 3| 4 to contact 3|2c of relay switch 3|2 and to the coil 3|2d from which the connection extends through the conductors 3|5 and 300 to the other line conductor 295. The coil 3|2d, being thus energized, moves its core 3|2/ upwardly and establishes a circuit from the line conductor 296 through the conductor 304, switch 305, conductor 3| contacts 3|2a and 3|2e, conductor 3", terminal 3|6, contact arm 350, contact 35|, terminal 332, conductor 33I, pilot valve 56 and conductors 330 and 30| to the other line conductor 295. The pilot valve being thus energized cuts oil the flow of steam to the under side of the diaphragm 260 so that the spring 219 opens the valve 213 and allows steam to flow from the pipe 215 through the steam valve 'and the pipe 231 to the retort.

When a predetermined temperature is reached in the retort, the thermostatic switch 302 closes and the motor 345 of the timer 5| is started in operation to measure the time during which the contents of the retort are subjected to the temperature at which the thermostatic switch is set. The circuit for controlling this operation comprises the conductor 304 leading from the line conductor 296. the switch 305, conductor 3| contacts 3|2a and 3|2e of relay 3|2, conductor 3", terminal 3|8, switch arm 350, contact 35|, terminal 332, conductor 341, motor 345, conductor 346 terminal 325, conductor 324, switch 302 and conductor 300 to the other line conductor 235.

As the motor 345 of the timer 5| continues to operate, the pointer 5|a (see Fig. 9) moves steadily toward its zero position and when it reaches that position the switch arm 350 automatically drops to its lower position, breaking the circuit of the motor and of thepilot valve 56 and making contact with the lower contact 352 of the timer. The deenergization of the pilot valve admits steam to the lower chamber of the steam valve, thus closin the steam inlet port 2110 and opening the steam outlet port 2111). At the same time the solenoid valve 290 is energized to admit steam to create a siphoning action at the mouth of the exhaust pipe 286. The timer 52 is also then started to measure the duration of the ex haust.

These things are accomplished by a circuit leading from the line conductor 296 through the conductor 304, switch 305, conductor 3| contacts 3l2a and 3|2b of the relay switch 3|2, conductor 3", terminal 3|3, contact arm 350, lower contact 352, terminal 340, conductor 330, conductor 326, coil 320e of relay switch 320, conductor 3|5 and conductor 300 back to the other line conductor 295. When the coil 3202 is thus energized, it breaks the circuit between the contacts 320a and 320b, thus breaking the circuit 01' the winding 50a of the door operating motor 50, while at the same time connecting the contacts 320c and 320d and thereby establishing a shunt around the contacts of the temperature control switch 302 which opens when the tem perature in the retort lowers. The coil 320:: of the relay switch 320 remains energized until the end of the cycle.

The circuit which energized the siphon valve 290 and starts the siphon timer 52 includes a circuit starting from the terminal 340 of the timer 5| and extending through the conductors 339 and 326 to the terminal 321 of the timer 52 16 and proceeding from that point through the switch arm 360, contact 36|, terminal 331 and conductor 336 to the siphon valve 290, from which the conductors 335, 330 and "I extend to the line conductor 295.

At the same time there is completed another circuit which extends from the contact 331 of the timer 52 through the conductor 356, the motor 355, the conductor 351, and the conductors 3 5 and 300 to the line conductor 295. The motor of the exhaust timer is thus started and it continues to operate until at the end of the exhaust period the pointer 52a (see Fig. 9) reaches its zero position whereupon the contact arm 360 automatically drops to its lower contact 362 and the motor 355 is stopped. At the same time the circuit of the siphon valve 290 is opened and this valve automatically closes to shut oil the siphon jet. 1

At this timethe door operating motor 50 is again started in operation to open the door through the closing of a circuit extending from the terminal 321 through the conductor 359, switch arm 360, contact 362, terminal 329 and conductor 328 to the terminal of the door operating motor 50 which is connected by the conductor 299 to the line conductor 295.

When the door 33 opens, the switch control rod 210 is moved rearwardly carrying with it the cam 212 so that the switch 49 is thereby opened to open the circuit of the relay switch 3|2. Since the coil 3|2d of this switch must remain energized until the cycle is completed, current is then supplied to this coil through a circuit leading from the line conductor through the conductor 304, switch 305, conductor 3, contacts 3|2b and 3l2c, coil 3|2d and the conductors 3I5 and 300 to the line conductor 295.

When the door 33 is fully opened and the rod 210 reaches its extreme rearward position, the

.pin 213 makes momentary contact with the switch 214, thus closing the circuit of the solenoid 54 which actuates the rod 253 to release the carriage in the retort from the latch 235 so that the carriage is then ejected by the spring pressed plunger 223. When the carriage is elected the rod 253 moves forwardly causing the cam 306 to leave the switch 305 which then automatically opens and opens all of the circuits. When the circuits are opened the timers 5| and 52 are automatically reset.

Although one form of the invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, it will be understood that it may be constructed in various other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an openins. a main carriage movable outside of said retort transversely to said opening, a pair of form carriages mounted on said main carriage for movement with respect to said main carriage into and out of said retort, a locking bar for each form carriage, a locking plate adapted to be engaged by either lock bar to secure said main carriage with a selected form carriage in alignment with said opening, and a manually operable member having operating connections with both of said locking bars for selectively reciprocating said bars.

2. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a main carriage movable outside of said retort transversely to said opening, a pair of form carriages mounted on. saidimaincarriaz for movement with respect to'said main carriage into and out of said retort, a locking bar for each form carriage, a pair of locking bars-mounted on said main carriage, a locking plate --mounted in fixed position with respect to said retort, and means including a lever movable with said main carriage for shifting said main carriage and having operating connections with both of said locking bars for moving either locking bar into engagement with said plate.

- 3. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a main carriage movable outside of said retort transversely to said opening, a pair of form carriages mounted on said main carriage for movement with respect to said main carriage into and out of said retort, a locking bar for each form carriage, a pair of locking bars mounted for sliding movement on said main carriage, a fixed locking plate having a notch to be engaged by either of said bars, a bell crank lever connected to the outer end of each locking bar, a carriage shifting lever, and links connecting said lever with each of said bell crank levers, whereby movement of said shifting lever in either direction will cause one of said bars to disengage said plate.

4. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a main carriage movable outside of said retort transversely to said opening, a pair of form carriages mounted on said main carriage for movement with respect to said main carriage into and out of said retort, a locking bar for each form carriage, a pair of locking bars mounted for sliding movement on said main carriage, a fixed locking plate having a notch to be engaged by either of said bars, a bell crank lever connected to the outer end of each locking bar, a carriage shifting lever, said shifting lever being pivotally mounted on said main carriage between the outer ends of said form carriages and being movable longitudinally of said main carriage, and operating connections from said shifting lever to said bell crank levers.

5. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a form carriage movable into and out of said retort through said opening, a door for closing said opening, a motor for operating said door, and an operating connection from said motor to said door, said connection including parts normally interlocking but arranged to disengage when the door encounters unusual resistance to its movement.

6. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retorthaving an opening, a form carriage movable into and out of said retort through said opening, a door for closing said opening, a motor for operating said door, and an operating connection from said motor to said door, said connection including a slotted rod engaged by a pivot pin held normally at one end of the slot by a spring which is adapted to yield when the door encounters unusual resistance.

7. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a form carriage mounted for movement through said opening into and out of said retort, a door for closing said opening, electrically operated means for introducing steam into said retort, electrically operated means for moving said door, means including an electric circuit for operating 18 said'electrically operated means,,a plurality of switches connected in said circuit, means actuated by the movement of a carriage into said retort for closing one of said switches, and means actuated by the closing ofsaid door for closing another of said switches.

-8. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a form carriage mounted for movement through said opening into and out of said retort, adoor .for closing said opening, electrically operated means for introducing steam into said retort, electrically operated means for moving said door, means including an electric circuit for operating said electrically operated means, a plurality of switches connected in said circuit, means actuated by the movement of a carriage into said retort for closing one of said switches, means actuated by the closing of said door for closing another of said switches, and an electric timing device included in said circuit for controlling the duration of the flow of steam into said retort.

9. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a form carriage mounted for movement through said opening into and out of said retort, a door for closing said opening, electrically operated means for introducing steam into said retort, electrically operated means for moving said door, means including an electric circuit for operating said electrically operated means, means including a solenoid valve for exhausting steam from said circuit, a plurality of switches connected in said circuit, means actuated by the movement of a carriage into said retort, means actuated by the closing of said door for closing another of said switches, and timing devices connected in said circuit for controlling the duration of the flow of steam into said retort and the period of the exhaust of steam therefrom.

10. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a form carriage mounted for movement through said opening into and out of said retort, a door for closing said opening, means including a steam valve for introducing steam into said retort, an electrically operated pilot valve for controlling the fiow of steam through said steam valve, an electric circuit in which said pilot valve is connected, and means connected in said circuit for controlling the operation of said pilot valve.

11. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a form carriage mounted for movement through said opening into and out of said retort, a door for closing said opening, means including a steam valve for permitting steam to be introduced into and exhausted from said retort, means including an electrically operated pilot valve for controlling the flow of steam through said steam valve into said retort, means including a solenoid operated siphon valve for controlling the exhaust of steam through said steam valve from said retort, and an electric circuit for controlling the operation of said pilot valve.

12. The combination in setting apparatus of the class described, of a retort having an opening, a form carriage mounted for movement through said opening into and out of said retort, a door for closing said opening, means including a steam valve for permitting steam to be introduced into and exhausted from said retort, means including an electrically operated 

